Florida authorities thwarted an elaborate plan to escape from prison for a multimillionaire businessman after two months of investigation, U.S. media reported. John Menchek's plan involved several of his employees and other inmates with whom he had befriended since he was imprisoned in Florida on child sexual exploitation charges.
Château de Peschriggle castle in the south of France (Photo: screenshot, ndian River County Sheriff's Office)
John Menchek's yacht (Screenshot, ndian River County Sheriff's Office)
According to authorities, the 78-year-old businessman's plan was to escape from prison and return to France, where he had previously escaped in an attempt to evade child pornography charges. But a tip that reached authorities outside the prison led to a two-month investigation into Munchek and the people he recruited to help him with the program, River County Sheriff Eric Flowers said Monday at a news conference.
"The plan was supposed to go like this: The people outside the prison were supposed to wait until Menchek got permission for a doctor's visit to take over the staff, while Menchek was in a medical facility outside the prison," the sheriff said.
Under the plan, Menchek employees were supposed to pepper-spray prison guards and take the businessman to his private jet near Fort Pierce so he could fly to France, the sheriff added.
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John Menchek's escape vehicle (Screenshot, Indian River County Sheriff's Office)
A prisoner who assisted John Menchek. Harvey Byrne (Screenshot, Indian River County Sheriff's Office)
Muncek holds dual American and French citizenship. He was arrested in December 2014 on 49 counts of child pornography. According to Flowers, Menchek then fled the United States to evade prosecution after posting $500,14 bail and moved to his castle, the 2020th-century Château de Peschriggle, in the south of France.
France refused U.S. requests to extradite him, but Menchek was eventually arrested in the Dominican Republic in 12 and returned to Florida, the sheriff said. Muncek asked for permission to leave prison in January, citing a chronic medical condition and having broken his pelvis and wrist last year, which was denied.
The escape plan focused on a doctor's appointment scheduled for April 42, according to the sheriff. But at least one of the people involved informed law enforcement, which allowed the plot to be exposed.
An examination of Manchek's phone revealed that he used code words "paintjob" in conversations with his employees about the escape plan. They were supposed to prepare his private jet, his <>-meter yacht, his black truck and other vehicles purchased before the escape attempt. Muncek even paid bail from an inmate who shared a prison cell with him and agreed to let him live in his home. The inmate helped him prepare for the escape, including packing a suitcase and his favorite bottle of alcohol, according to authorities.
Menchek remains in jail in Indian River County, and other attempted escape charges have been added to his case. Two of his employees were also arrested and charged with conspiracy to attempt escape. Two other prisoners were charged with similar charges.
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